Over 100 years of flying without an iPad now we can't fly without one...
On a more serious note, is this just a precaution thing or do they actually need the iPad to take off?
Wait, you are telling me that these pilots don't have a plan B to use their backup manuals? Hellooo!
What happens if the iPad stops to function while mid-flight?
Yes, I'd really like to know why these crews felt unable to continue the flight without their iPads in working order. Is this company policy, or an actual inability to make the flight without them?
It's an FAA rule. The pilots can't depart without a current version of the required manuals, maps, and approach documentation.
Pilots can fly the plane without the iPad. They may have to divert the flight under some circumstances, but it won't affect flight safety.
There are paper backups for at least some of the documents. But, the instrument approach documentation in particular is a huge amount of paper, and it has to be updated frequently. There's a separate approach "plate" for every runway that has an instrument approach, and many runways have multiple approaches, using different navigation aids. Without the approach plates, they would go to an alternate airport that doesn't require an instrument approach.
Yup, this had nothing to do with the iPad itself. The fact that returning to a Wifi network fixes the issue clearly states that the iPad was not at fault, but rather other parts of the infrastructure were. The pilot was incorrect in highlighting that the "iPad went blank"... more like his flight data system was not working correctly.
If it's a reliant on a server or network, then that's a problem. Way too much reliance on technology. Everything should be stored locally.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one wondering why they had to return to the gate to access WiFi since most flights have it onboard.
Others have already posted that the airline has announced that it was a problem with the iPad app. I suspect that the app decided it had to do an update, and when the WiFi network wasn't available it locked up.
But, when not doing an update, the app has no reliance on a network connection. And although many planes have in-flight WiFi, it is turned off while on the ground.
i still don't understand why iPads are needed why don't planes have navigation computers by now instead they retrofit with iPads i don't get it. for goodness sake they land them selves whats so hard about displaying a map
The iPads replace the paper manuals that the FAA requires pilots to carry, regardless of the level of technology in the cockpit.
And, airplanes don't "land themselves". The auto-land functionality requires pilots to monitor the approach second-by-second -- cross checking the instruments and confirming proper position at key points onthe approach plate. Anything higher than Category I (a standard precision instrument approach using ILS) requires planes and crews with special certification, at a handful of airports that have the necessary navigation equipment on the ground.